TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) – After a freak accident on the way to Chiva Falls left Lalo Delgado’s car and girlfriend on fire, he called 911 for help but was shocked by the unprofessional manner in which the call was handled. “Her initial reaction was laugh and giggle in the background,” said Delgado. “It was very disturbing.”
Here’s the transcript:
911: 911 what is your emergency?
Caller: My car just kinda caught on fire, my girlfriend caught on fire.
911: Is your girlfriend still on fire?
Caller: No.
911: No? (laughter in background)
911: Ok. (chuckles) Umm… Is your vehicle still on fire?
Caller:It’s hilarious huh?
911: Sir, is your vehicle still on fire?
Caller: I just heard you smirk… Inaudible.
911: Ok, sir it wasn’t regarding that ok.
Caller: Yeah, I just heard you laugh.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department did not defend the dispatcher’s actions: “We did not perform as I expect or the citizens of this county expect us to,” said Capt. Jim Berry. “We’re going to correct that. Certainly I can understand why he was upset. I would be too.” He added that an investigation is underway to determine “what the laughter was about.”
The PCSD also claims this was an isolated incident and response time was not affected. Delgado does not agree: “If she wasn’t there playing around giggling and would have been right on it,” he said. “One minute, two minutes, every minute counts man.”
He even called back to confirm that his call was taken seriously.
911: 911, what is your emergency?
Caller: Yeah.
911: Hello?
Caller: Yeah I called in a few minutes ago and I just wanted to make sure you took me seriously.
The dispatcher is still on the job and receiving calls, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Lalo’s girlfriend reportedly has a long road to recovery.
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